"The Second Journey" An interview with Joel Bigman

"The Second Journey" An interview with Joel Bigman

Author: Laszlo Montgomery January 22, 2025 Duration: 37:41

With the Singapore History series out of the way, and 2025 off and running, here's the first special interview episode of the year. Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Joel Bigman, author of a new book called "The Second Journey." If you're familiar with the Ming Dynasty novel "Journey to the West," this one by Joel might sound familiar. You might never look at "Journey to the West" the same way again. This was quite an interesting and unique story that combined two ancient cultures. It's been called "The World's first Chinese-Jewish Historical Fantasy." Nuff said. I hope you enjoy this interview.


Here's a link to the book: https://a.co/d/9oRyiN8



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


For more than a decade, Laszlo Montgomery has been guiding audiences through the vast and intricate tapestry of Chinese civilization on The China History Podcast. This isn't a dry recitation of dates and dynasties, but a deeply researched exploration of the people, ideas, and events that have shaped one of the world's oldest continuous cultures. Each episode feels like a focused conversation, unpacking a specific theme, figure, or era with a clarity that makes complex history accessible. You'll find episodes delving into the philosophical foundations laid by Confucius and Laozi, the machinations of imperial courts, the transformative impact of the Silk Road, and the profound changes of the modern age. With a catalog surpassing 350 episodes, the journey spans from deepest antiquity to contemporary times, offering a comprehensive resource for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts. Laszlo's steady narration and careful curation build connections across centuries, revealing how the past continuously informs the present. Tuning into this podcast is an ongoing education, revealing the incredible depth and diversity of Chinese history, society, and culture, one story at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The China History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 358 | The History of Singapore (Part 10) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:40
First of all, to all of you who lasted through the entire series up to this concluding episode, I extend to you, my deepest appreciation. I hope you learned a few things about Singapore. Here it is, the final installment…
Ep. 357 | The History of Singapore (Part 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:04
In its hour of need, quite a few leaders rose to the occasion in Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew didn't transform the nation by himself. Last time we saw how S. Rajaratnam carried the flag around the world and advanced Singapore…
Ep 356 | The History of Singapore (Part 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:04
We left off last time with Singapore being granted sovereignty by Britain on June 3, 1959, and Tunku Abdul Rahman's "Grand Design" speech concerning a merger between Malaysia and Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew took this pro-mer…
Ep. 355 | The History of Singapore (Part 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:17
Post-WWII Singapore was a time that was loaded with historical events that shaped how matters would unfold throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s. The matter of how to handle the future of Malaya and Singapore begins to…
Ep. 354 | The History of Singapore (Part 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:04
In this episode, we see how Japan marched and bicycled their way across the Johor Strait and proceeded to quickly defeat the British Commonwealth troops. Then we see how Japan carried out a brutal and repressive occupati…
Ep. 353 | The History of Singapore (Part 5) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:07
Although all kinds of tension brewed beneath the surface, the mid to late 19th Century saw a continued bonanza for Singapore. A prosperous combination of hard-working men and women, fearless entrepreneurs, and fortunes m…
Ep. 352 | The History of Singapore (Part 4) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:08
Part 4 continues with the aftermath of the 1824 Treaty of London. John Crawfurd takes over from a disgraced William Farquhar as First Resident. Singapore commences its never-ending building and infrastructure process. Th…
Ep. 351 | The History of Singapore (Part 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:49
With Singapore formally established, we look at those first months and years. As soon as the document was signed, Raffles left the island and William Farquhar took over as First Resident. It would be hard to find a more…
Ep. 350 | The History of Singapore (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:20
With the arrival of the Portuguese and their 1511 victory, the history of this region began to move in s new direction. The Portuguese and the Dutch rather ignored Singapore and focused their trade and colonizing efforts…
Ep. 349 | The History of Singapore (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:41
Requests to present the history of Singapore go back to 2010 or 2011. At long last, here's an easy-to-consume and digest overview of The Lion City. In Part 1 we'll look at the watered world of Southeast Asia and the Mons…